School life in England
This page tells you about life at school, in particular about the timetable of a typical day in a primary school or in a secondary school, about school subjects including physical education (PE), school meals, school uniform, assembly and religious education, teaching and learning and important people in schools.
Timetable of a typical day
Schools do not all have the same timetable, but most schools will follow a similar routine of a typical day at school.
In primary school
Registration: first thing in the morning, as you arrive in your classroom, the teacher does the ‘register’ calling everyone’s name and checking that everybody has arrived at school on time. If someone is absent, the teacher will inform the school office.Assembly: meeting of teachers and children at a set time during the day. In some schools, this includes prayers and religious songs.Literacy (English)Numeracy (Maths)Morning break or playtime: you have a break and normally go outside to play Lunch break and playtime: you have a break to have your lunch and playOther subjects - see section on school subjects below
Example of a typical day in primary school
In secondary school
Registration or tutor time: time when you will join your tutor group at the beginning, middle or end of each school day for your name to be marked in the register and to receive important informationPeriod (lesson) 1Period 2Morning breakPeriod 3Assembly: meeting of teachers and children at set times during the week. In some schools, this might include prayers and religious songs. Lunch break and playtime Period 4 Period 5Tutor group/end of school registration.
This is an example of a typical day in secondary school which includes 5 periods of 55 minutes each
School subjects and national curriculum
You will study lots of different subjects both at primary and secondary school. These subjects follow the national curriculum. This is a programme of education designed by the government to make sure everyone is taught the same things and to the same standards in all schools in England. The usual subjects are:
Maths (number, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability)English (language and literature)Science (chemistry, physics and biology)GeographyHistoryReligious education (RE) Information and communication technology or ICT (using computers)Design and technology (woodwork, metalwork, textiles, food, graphics)Physical education or PE (sports, games, athletics, dance)Creative arts (art, music, drama, dance)Modern foreign languages (French, German, Spanish or other languages) Personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenshipPhysical education (PE)
Boys and girls must take part in physical education both in primary and secondary schools. Most schools will ask you to wear a PE kit, which is a set of clothes chosen by the school for this activity. It often includes wearing a T-shirt, shorts or jogging bottoms.
If you are worried about privacy when you change your clothes for PE, or whether the PE kit covers your body enough, please talk to your form tutor (in a secondary school) or your class teacher (in a primary school).
School meals
At most schools you can choose between having school dinner or packed lunch.
School dinners are often freshly prepared in school and children can choose from a selection of healthy meals. You may be able to have free school meals, for example if your parents or carers are asylum seekers, receive job-seekers allowance, income support, employment and support allowance, etc.
School uniform
Children and young people wear a uniform in most primary and secondary schools. You can find information about the uniform from the school website.
School uniform items, e.g. dresses, trousers, shirts and shoes, can be bought cheaply from most supermarkets.
Secondary school uniforms are similar to primary schools, but sometimes school blazers with the school logo on the pocket are also worn. Some schools are very strict about their uniform policies and others are more relaxed. Sometimes schools have second-hand uniforms available to buy, especially more expensive items like blazers.
Assembly and religious education
During assembly, there are often prayers or religious music, usually of Christian faith.
You will probably also have at least one religious education (RE) lesson a week. RE should cover the main religious faiths. Some schools may spend a substantial amount of time on Christianity.
Your parents have got the right to ask that you not not attend assembly and/or religious education. If you are over 16 you have the right to decide yourself not to attend. For more information,
